Billet charging mechanism



March 26, 1946. F. B. CROSBY 2,397,339

I BILLET CHARGING MECHANSM I Filed Aug. 7, 1944 5 sheets sheet 1 umnmm '7 m N r) [5 Q I \9 O\ lunmi 8; IQ

I w LJE E I \hhhhhhhhhmd I /N VE N 7'01? FRED B. CROSBY A TTORNEY March 26, 1946. EB. CROSBY BILLET CHARGING MECHANSM Filed Aug. 7, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR/ y INVENTOR FRED B. CROSBY llllllmllllillllmlIIMI I! z March 26, 1946. F, B. CROSBY BILLET CHARGING MECHANSM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 7;1944

A TTORNE Y Patented Mar. 26, 1946 BILLET CHARGING MECHANISM Fred B. Crosby, Worcester, Mass., assignor to,

'Morgan Construction Company,

Worcester,

Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts I I Application August 7, 1944, Serial No. 548,362

6 Claims.

This mechanisms, and more particularly to a mechanism for charging billets of different lengths into a furnace and positioning them therein in a symmetrical arrangement.

The patent to Dahlstrom No. 1,880,374, granted October 4, 1932, discloses a charging mechanism whereby billets of different lengths may be charged endwise into a furnace and positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line of the furnace. This prior mechanism thus arranges the billets in a single row for broadside movement through thefurnace. Such a single row arrangement is satisfactory with relatively long billets, but if the length of the billets is less than half the width of the furnace it would be preferable to arrange them in two or more rows and thereby utilize the furnace space more efficiently.

It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and dependable mechanism whereby billets may be charged endwise into a furnace and arranged in a plurality of rows therein. r

It is a further object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and dependable mechanism whereby-billets may be charged endwise into a furnace and positioned symmetrically with respect to any selected one of a plurality of parallel center lines.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and dependable mechanism having a manually operable selector device which will enable the operator to select any one of a plurality of parallel center lines within a furnace, and a charging means'which will automatically position each billet symmetrically with respect to the particular center line determined by the selector device.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a somewhatdiagrammatic sectional plan view of a billet-heating furnace and a charging mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a control apparatus forming part of the charging mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing invention relates to billet chargingthe parts in a different phase of the operating cycle;

Fig. 5 is asectionon thelin'e 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is asection on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is an electrical wiring diagram.

The embodiment illustratedcomprises a heating furnace 10 having a charging opening ll through which successive billets S of varying lengths are introduced in an endwise direction. After each billet has come to rest within the furnace, it is acted uponby' the broadside pusher l2. Thi s pusher is reciprocated' in a known manner and serves to move all the billets broad side along the furnace hearth, thereby making 'roomfor the introductionof additional billets in a continuous succession.

The endwise charging movement of each billet is brought about by a pusher arm I 4 which is reciprocated in line with theopening II, the billets being moved one at a time from astock pile to a position in front of this arm by any suitable means. The pusher arm i4 is mounted on a carriage l5 which-is supported for reciprocation along a track |6.-- This carriage is 'connected to' an endless cable 18 which 'passes around a pair of spaced wheels l9 one of which is driven through reduction gearing 20 by a reversible electric motor 22. This motor is also connected by gearing 23to the shaft 24 ofa control apparatus 25. The carriage I5 is provided witha'projecting lug 21 arranged to engage and open a limit switch 28-When the carriage reaches the safe limit of forwardtravel, and'to engage and open a limitswitch 29 when the'carriage reaches a-predetermined'position during its rearward travel.*' A flag 3| is located adjacent the chargingopening II in position to be depressed by each billet passing thereover. The pusher arm 14 is positioned slightly above the flag and cannot depress the same,- so that the flag will "rise when the rear end of the billet has moved out of contact therewith. The flag 3| actuates three normally open switches 31a, 3lb, and Me. Referring now to Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, it will be seen that theshaft 24 of the control apparatus 25 is rotatably supported in a pair of spaced bearings32 and 33 which are mounted within a casing 34. Between these two bearings the shaft is formed with two portions 36 and 31 pro- .vided with external screw threads. On the portion 36'adjace'nt the bearing 32 the screw thread is left-hand, and on the portion '3'ladjacent the bearing 33 the screw thread is'rlght-hand. On the threaded portion 36 there is mounted a nut parallel with the push button 32.

is also provided a safety switch 9|, a normally open push button 92, and a selector switch 93 having contacts 93a, 93b, and 930. An auxiliary switch 94 is mounted on an insulated extension of the selector switch, the parts being so arranged that the switch 94 will be closed whenever either of contacts 93b and 93c is engaged by the selector switch, but not when contact 93a is engaged.

The electrical connections to the various coils and switches are clearly shown in the diagram. The coil F is connected in series with the safety switch 9|, the push button 92, the switch 28 and the switch 52. The switch Fe is connected in The coil R is connected in series with the safety switch 9|, the switch Fe, and the switch 29. The switches Fa and Pb are connected in circuit with the motor 22 to energiz the same for forward rotation,

and the switches Ra and Rh are connected in circuit with the said motor to energize the same for reverse rotation. A series circuit is provided through the switch Rc, coil 89, and switch 14. A series'circuit is provided through the switch Rc, switch 59, and coil 85, and a further series circult is provided through the switch Re, switch 85a, switch 81a and solenoid 43. The negative side of the switch 85a is connected directly to the contact 93a, through the switch 11 to the contact'93b, and through the switch 18. to the contact 930. The switch 31a is connected in parallel with the switch 83b. A series circuit is provided through the switch Fd, switch 3|a, switch Tia, and coil 81, the selector switch 93 being connected to the negative side of the switch Fd. Series circuits are provided from the contact 93a through the switch 81b, and the coil 81; from the contact 93a through the switch 94, the switch 3|b, and the coil 88; from the contact 93a through the switch 94, the switch 88a, and the coil 38; from the contact 93a through the switch 94', the switch 3|c, and the coil 83; and from the contact 93a through the switch 94, the switch 85b, the switch 89a, and the solenoid 48. The switch 85b is connected in parallel with the switch 880. The switches 89b and 86a are connected in series with the coil 86. The switch 36b is connected in series with the solenoid The operation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. A billet of length L will be moved by any suitable means to a position in front of the pusher arm l4. Assuming that the billet is to be centered with respect to the centerline A within the furnace, the operator will place the selector switch 93 in engagement with contact 93a, as shown in Fig. 8. He will then close the main switch 83 and thereafter close push button 92 momentarily. This will energize coil F, closing switches Fa, Fb, Fe, and Fd, and opening switch Fe. Closing Fc will shunt the push button 92 and maintain a holding circuit for the coil F upon release of the push button. Closing Fa will energize solenoid 43 through switch 810,, holding tooth 4| out of engagement with nut 33, so that this nut will be fre to turn with the shaft 24. Since switch 94 is open, solenoids 43 and H remain deenergized, tooth 43 will engage nut 39 to prevent it from turning, and tooth 39 will be out of engagement with nut 61 so that it will be free to turn. Closing Fa and Fb will start the motor 22 and the carriage l5 in a forward direction and close the limit switch 29, the nut 39 moving to the left in Fig. 3. When the carriage has moved a distance (d-L), the front end of the billet will depress the flag 3|, closing switch 3|a, energizing coil 31,

opening switch 81a and closing switch 81b to maintain a holding circuit for coil 31. This will deenergize solenoid 43, tooth 4| will engage nut 38, this nut will move to the right toward the approaching nut 39, and switch 53 will open. As nut 38 leaves tooth 4| it will engage rib 44 which will continueto prevent rotation of the nut. When the two nuts meet, as shown in Fig, 4, nut 38 will engage the finger 53 and open the switch 52. As switch 52 opens, coil F will be deenergized, opening switches Fa, F2), F0, and Pd, and closing switch Fe, thus energizing coil R and closing switches Ra, Rb, and Re. Opening the switch Fd will 'deenergize coil 81, closing switch 8'|a, the solenoid 43 remaining deenergized. The motor 22 will be reversed, the pusher arm J4 will be withdrawn, and the nuts 33 and 39 will move apart, closing switch 52. As nut 38 reaches its original position shown in Fig. 3, it will close switch 53, energizing coil 85 and closing switch 85a. This will energize the solenoid 43 through switch 81a, releasing tooth "4| from nut 38, so that the nut will turn freely with the shaft while nut 39 continues to move laterally toward its original position and the carriage lug 21 eventually opens the limit switch 29. This will deenergize coil R, opening switches Ra, Rb, and Re, and stopping the motor 22. The limit switch 28 serves merely as a safety stop to prevent overtravel of the carriage in a forward direction.

The switch 3| permits emergency stopping ofthe carriage in either direction.

It will now be apparent that the forward movement of the carriage l5 required to bring the front end of the billet into engagement with the flag 3| is (cl-L) and that during this movement I the nut 39 will travel a distance proportionate to (d-L). Since the total travel of the nuts 38 and 39 required to open the switch 52 is by construction proportionate to the distance (d+2c),

, it follows that the movement of both nuts after the flag 3| is depressed will be proportionate to (d+2c) (dL), or (L+2c). During such movement through a distance proportionate to (L+2c), each of the nuts 38 and 39 will move through a distance proportionate to and the carriage l5 will therefore travel through the distance 1 or dimcan thereafter be advanced broadside along the furnace by a stroke of the pusher I2,

If now a billet is to be centered on the line B,

the operator will place the selector switch-93 in engagement with the contact 93b, thus closing the switch 94. He will then close the push button 92 momentarily, energizing coil F, closing switches Fa, Fb, Fe, and Fd, and opening switch Fe. ton and complete a holding circuit for the coil F. Closing switch Fd will energize solenoid 43 through switches 11 and 81a, leaving nut 38 free Closing switch Fc will shunt the push butto rotate. Solenoids '48 and "H will remain de-' energized, nut 39 will be locked-against rotation, and nut 61 will be free to turn. Closing switches Fa and Pb will start the motor 22 and'the carriage l5 forwardly and close the limit switch'29, the nut 39 moving to the left in Fig. 3. pusher arm I l will advance the billet endwise until its front end depresses the flag 3 I and closes switches 31a, 3"), and 310, thus energizing coils 81, 88 and 86, opening switch 81a and closing switches 91b, 88a, 88b, 880, 96a, and set. The closed switch 811) completes a holding circuit for coil 81, the closed switch 881'; completes a holding circuit for coil 83, and the closed switch 86a completes a holding circuit for coil 86. The closed switch 881) maintains the energization of solenoid 43 despite the opening of switch S'la, so that nut 38 will remain freeto rotate. The closed switch 880 energizes the solenoid 48, so that nut 39 will be free to rotate and hence will stop its lateral movement toward the left. The closed switch 8% will energize the solenoid H, causing the tooth 69 to engage the nut 61 and cause this nut to move to the left in Fig. 5, and open the switch 14,, the rib 12 preventing rotation of the nut as it leaves the tooth 69. -When the tail end of the billet leaves the flag 3|,"switches 31a, Blb, and 3lc will open. 'When the nut 67 has traveled through adistance proportionate to the distance D and reached the position 67B, it will open the switches 11 and Na and deenergize the solenoid 43, so that nut 38 will be locked against rotation and start to move to the right- Opening the switch ll will also break the holding circuits for coils 81 and 88, deenergizing these coils, closing switch 81a and opening switches 8'), 822a, 33b, and 880. Opening switch 880 will deenergize solenoid 48, and nut 39 will be locked against rotation and will start to move to the left again to meet nut 38. Nut 61 will continue to move to the left, being locked by the rib 12. when nuts 38 and 325 meet, and the switch52'is opened, coil F will be deenergized, switche Fa, F1), F0, and Fd will open, and switch Fe will close. This will energize coil R, closing switches Ra, Rb, and Re. The motor,

22 will be reversed, the pusher arm [4 will be withdrawn, the nuts 38 and 39 will move apart, closing switch 52, and the nut 61 will move to the right. When nut 61 reaches position 61B it will 1 Switch d at the same time nut 38 will reach its rest position shown in Fig. '3 and close switch 50. This will energize coil 85, and close switches 85a and 85b, energizing solenoids 43 and 48. Nuts 38 and 39 will thus be free toturn with the shaft 24 while the nut 61 continues to move laterally from its position 51B to its rest position shown inFig. 5, closing switch it. This will energize coil 89 and open switches 89a and 8%, dcenergizing solenoid 48, breaking the holding circuit for coil 86, opening switches 86a and 85b, and deenergizing solenoid "H. Nut Bl will then be free to turn without lateral motion, and nut 39 will be locked against rotation and caused to move laterally to its rest position. At the sam time the carriage IE will reach its rest position, opening the limit switch 29, stopping the motor and deenergizing all the coils and solenoids.

It will be seen that the movement of the nuts 38 and 39 toward one another is exactly the same as when centering billets on the line A, except that these nuts remain stationary while the nut- 61 travels from it rest position to the position 613. By construction'this amount of travel of the nut 61 is proportionate to the distance I) from center line A to center line B. Hence the car- The riage and pusher arm'will travel,- before reversal, a distance I) further than they would if thebillet were to becentered on the line A. Consequently the billet will be accurately centered on the line B. Ifthe operator wishes to center a billet on the me C, he will place the selector switch 93 in engagement with the contact.93c and thus close the switch 94. The subsequent operation will be exactly the same as when centering on the line B, except that the switch '53 will be efiective in place of the switch El. Since the distance between the switches Ti and i8 is by construction proportionate to the distancea between the center lines B and C, it necessarily follows that the switche Ti and 73, suitably positioned in the path of the nut 67 and connected to the corresponding additional selector switch contacts. Obviously, as many additional switches and contacts may be provided as is required in any particular case.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to ecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Billet charging mechanism comprisinga re- I ciprocable charging member having a predetermined rest position, means to reciprocate said member and to effect, by the forward travel thereof from the said rest position, the endwise charging movements of successively-presented billets of different lengths, an adjustable selector device for predetermining the location of a point in the path of the billets, a control device located in a fixed position and arranged to be actuated in response to the arrival adjacent thereto of the front end of each billet during its charging movement, and automatic means controlled jointly by the position of the selector device and by the actuation of the measuring device for terminating the forward travel of the charging member when the center of each billet reaches the said point.

2. Billet charging mechanism comprising a reciprocable charging member, means to reciprocate said member and to efiect, by the forward travel thereof, the endwise charging movements of successively-presented billets of different lengths, automatic means normally effective to terminate the forward travel of said member when the center of the billet being charged reaches a predetermined point, and selectively operable means to postpone such termination until the said member has moved forwardly through a predetermined further distance.

3. Billet charging mechanism comprising a reciprocable pusher having a predetermined rest position and arranged to engage the rear ends of successively-presented billets of different,

mined position, and selectively operable means to restrain the approach movement of both of said members while the pusher moves forwardly through a predetermined further distance.

4. Billet charging mechanism comprising a reciprocable pusher having a predetermined rest position and arranged to engage the rear ends of successively-presented billets of different lengths and to effect, by its forward travel. from the said rest position, endwise charging movements of such billets, means to reciprocate said pusher, a pair of members for controlling the forward stroke of said pusher and movable at speeds proportionate to the speed of the pusher, said members havin their maximum separation when the pusher is in its rest position and approaching each other during the said forward stroke for termination thereof when they meet, means to restrain the approach movement of one of said members until the front end of the billet reaches a predetermined position, a third member movable at a speed proportionate to that of the pusher, means to restrain movement of the third member until the front end of the billet reaches the said predetermined position, and selectively operable means to restrain the approach movement of both the members of the said pair while the third member moves through a predetermined distance.

5. Billet charging mechanism comprising a reciprocable pusher having a predetermined rest position and arranged to engage the rear ends of successively-presented billets of different lengths and to effect, by its forward travel from the said rest position, endwise charging movements of such billets, a reversible electric motor connected to the pusher to reciprocate the same, a pair of members actuated by the motor and having their maximum separation when the pusher is in its rest position, the members approaching each other during the forward stroke of the pusher and reversing the motor when they meet, means to restrain the approach movement of one of said members until the front end of the billet reaches a predetermined position, a third member actuated by the motor, means to restrain movement of the third member until the front end of the billet reaches the said predetermined position, and selectively operable means t restrain the approach movement of both the members of the said pair while the third member moves through a predetermined distance.

6. Billet charging mechanism comprising a reciprocable charging member, means to reciprocate said member and to effect, by the forward travel thereof, the endwise charging movements of successively-presented billets of different lengths, a control device arranged to be actuated by the passage of the front end of each billet during the charging movement thereof, automatic means controlled jointly by the control device and by the length of the billet arranged to terminate the forward travel of the charging member when the center of the billet has reached a point at a predetermined distance beyond the control device, and selectively operable means to postpone such termination until the said member has moved forwardly through a predetermined further distance.

FRED B. CROSBY. 

